Region

Pacific slope of northwestern Mexico

Typical Environment

Found from coastal and lowland areas of southern Sonora through Sinaloa and Nayarit, locally reaching adjacent inland valleys. It favors mangroves, coastal scrub, thorn forest, agricultural fields, and urban edges. The species often forages along beaches, estuaries, and rubbish tips, and will move locally in response to food availability. It is generally a lowland resident and is common around human settlements.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 800 m

Climate Zone

Subtropical

Temperament

social and active

Flight Pattern

strong flier with steady wingbeats and short glides

Social Behavior

Usually seen in small groups that expand to larger flocks at feeding sites and roosts. Pairs nest in trees or tall palms, constructing a stick nest lined with softer materials. They are attentive parents, with both adults participating in nest defense and provisioning.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

Vocalizations include harsh caws, buzzy croaks, and rattling notes. Calls are loud and carry over open coastal habitats, often given in sequences during group interactions.

Diet

An opportunistic omnivore that eats insects, small crustaceans from shorelines, fruits, grains, eggs, carrion, and human food waste. It forages on the ground, probes wrack lines on beaches, and gleans from foliage. In towns and farms it readily takes spilled grain and scraps, and will investigate new food sources quickly.

Preferred Environment

Frequently feeds along beaches, estuaries, mangrove edges, and open farmland. It also patrols streets, markets, and rubbish dumps in settlements.